Frequently Asked Questions

Mix both: 2′‑F increases A‑form bias and T_m; 2′‑OMe is helpful for safety and reduces off‑targeting, especially in the seed region.

2′-OMe favors immune dampening and stability; 2′-F improves potency and stability. Mixed patterns in the wings are common; we’ll tailor to your readouts.

21mer siRNAs: Mimic Dicer products, bypass Dicer, and enter RISC directly.

27mer Dicer-substrate siRNAs: Require Dicer processing, improving RISC loading and gene knockdown efficiency.

Default to 5′/3′ for accessibility; use internal dT‑linkers when mid‑strand placement is required. Add C6–C12/PEG spacers to reduce steric hindrance.

Termini (5′/3′) minimize impact on hybridization and are easiest to QC. Internal placement is possible with appropriate spacers (e.g., PEG) but should be piloted to confirm T_m and activity.

Use cleavable (disulfide, hydrazone, dipeptide/self‑immolative) when intracellular release is needed; choose non‑cleavable when maximal durability is required.

Choose lipids that match the target tissue and delivery route (e.g., GalNAc for liver). Validate PK/PD, assess immunogenicity, and consider LNP or micelle formulation for certain lipids (DSPE-PEG, DAG, phospholipids).

• Primer Tm typically 58–62 °C; probe Tm about 7–10 °C higher than primers.
• Avoid G at the reporter-labeled 5′ end; avoid long runs of G/C (≥4).
• Keep amplicons short (e.g., 70–150 bp) for fast, efficient RT-qPCR.
• Typical starting concentrations: primers 200–500 nM; probe 100–250 nM (optimize empirically).

Use dark quenchers with tight spectral separation and verify droplet reader channels. Pilot dye/quencher combinations under final conditions.

Store dry and protected from light; avoid prolonged UV exposure prior to use. Standard –20 °C recommended.

Yes. Research-grade acetylated peptides are typically chemically synthesized so acetylation is installed at defined residue positions and stoichiometry. Synthetic acetylated peptides avoid heterogeneity and are preferred for mechanistic studies, quantitative LC–MS workflows, and assay controls.

Toxicity depends on sequence, chemistry, delivery method, and concentration. PS-ASOs may bind non-specifically to proteins and activate immune receptors.

Toxicity depends on sequence, chemistry, delivery method, and concentration. PS-ASOs may bind non-specifically to proteins and activate immune receptors.

Yes. Choose **non-overlapping dyes**, balance brightness across channels, and validate NTC/no-probe controls for flat baselines.

No. Lysine-based MAP peptides are common, but branched peptides can also be designed using alternative diamino acid branch points (Dap/Dab/Orn), dendrimeric or small-molecule cores, and post-synthetic branching chemistries (e.g., cysteine/thioether or click chemistry). The best strategy depends on the required spacing/geometry, steric congestion risk, solubility, stability, and your downstream application.

No. Stapled peptides are one subset that use hydrocarbon crosslinks. Helical peptides may also be stabilized with lactam bridges, disulfide/thioether constraints, helix-promoting residues (e.g., Aib), or backbone modifications.

Generally yes. LNA/2′‑OMe can flank a convertible base to maintain T_m. Consider sterics for bulky substituents and confirm with a short T_m check.

Not always. Length increases cumulative risk, but many short peptides are difficult if they are highly hydrophobic, β-sheet-prone, or cysteine-rich.

“Cyclic peptide” is a broad term for any peptide with a ring closure. “Macrocyclic peptide” usually refers to larger, drug-like cyclic architectures (homodetic or heterodetic) designed for stronger conformational control and functional performance.

Yes. Research-grade methylated peptides are typically chemically synthesized so methylation is installed at defined residue positions and stoichiometry. Synthetic methylated peptides avoid heterogeneity and are preferred for reader-domain studies, enzyme assays, and reproducible controls.